Emily Scott gets off a shot against Falls City on the Lady Beavers court on Friday, Feb. 5, as teammate Katelin Dupnik stands at the ready. The Lady Marlins fell by two points. A coin toss Wedensday morning, Feb. 10, determined first and second place in the district. STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KEINGSBERG The Lady Marlins share the District 31-1A title with Falls City after losing to the Lady Beavers on Friday, Feb. 5.

However, Port Aransas was no pushover, barely losing on the Falls City court, 39-37.

The girls outscored Falls City in the first quarter, 14-9, and took third-quarter honors, 10-5. But they were unable to keep up in the second and fourth quarters.

“It was high intensity, just like a playoff game,” coach Stephanie Cowen reported. “We came out in the first quarter and shot the ball well. Tarryn Murray came out and played very well. She had 10 points in the first quarter to give us a 5-point lead.”

However, Cowen said the girls got into foul trouble in the game and that seemed to affect their offensive play.

“We have to be more disciplined on defense,” she said.

On the other hand, Cowen said she was “extremely pleased” with Friday’s defensive play, aside from the foul problem. Plagued by 3-pointers from Falls City during their first meet, the Port Aransas girls didn’t allow a single 3-pointer in the Feb. 5 game.

Cowen said the Lady Marlins must learn to play a better game when they have the lead.

“We had a lead going into the fourth quarter and couldn’t hold on to it,” she said. “I was so proud of the way our kids competed. We hadn’t played our best basketball in the second round of district, but after (Friday), I think we have a new confidence about starting the playoffs.”

Besides Murray’s 10 points in the first period, she added 6 more to lead Lady Marlins scoring with 16. Chelsea Perez followed with 6 and Katelin Dupnik and Rachael Phillips had 5 each. Reba Armanovs posted 3 points and Anna Roberson hit 2.

The Lady Marlins finish the season with a 25-4 overall record and a 7-1 record in district play.

The junior varsity Lady Marlins didn’t fare so well, losing to Falls City 40-9.

Jessica Borden hit 5 for the Port Aransas junior varsity, followed by Samantha Richardson and Megan Forrest with 2 apiece.

The JV finishes the season with a 4- 13 overall record and are 3-2 in district play.